Traditional rulers from Imo East, Imo West and Imo North senatorial districts, yesterday reelected the Igwe of Obi Orodo autonomous community in Mbaitoli Local Council, Eze Sam Agunwa Ohiri, as chairman of the state Traditional Rulers Council.

It was gathered that this was the first time such election took place in the state following the executive’s directive.

Governor Rochas Okorocha congratulated the reelected monarch and the delegates for their peaceful conduct of the election.

Ohiri was appointed by Okorocha in June 2011 after he dethroned Eze Cletus Ilomuanya.

But Ilomuanya had challenged the order in court at various levels and won. The courts also ruled that the state government should pay N10 million compensation to the monarch.

Okorocha’s congratulatory message followed a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, shortly after the election.

The statement reads: “The governor remarked that with the peaceful manner the traditional rulers had elected their delegates at the local council level and with the commendable manner they conducted themselves and elected their Chairman and other principal officers into the Traditional Rulers Council, the traditional rulers are not only the custodians of our culture and traditions but also custodians of democratic ideals.

“The governor congratulated Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri over his re-election as the Chairman of the Council and noted that his re-election has shown that he did well in his first outing as the Chairman of the Council.

“He advised him to do his best this time and ensure that he carries all the traditional rulers in the State along including those who contested against him, for the sake of the Unity of the traditional rulers.”

Okorocha commended two major contestants in the election, Eze Chidume Okoro and Oliver Ohanweh for their show of patriotism and outstanding performance during the election.

He appealed to them to bring their wealth of experience to bear and assist Eze Ohiri to serve the traditional rulers in particular and the state in general.

He said his administration decided to democratise the process of choosing the leaders of the state Council of Traditional Rulers to further strengthen the nation’s democracy.